Cost of Living in Detroit, MI
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Detroit, MI to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Detroit, MI?
With a price level of 100.3 (U.S. average = 100), Detroit, MI is close to the national average. In detail, housing costs are 5% below average; everyday goods cost about the same as the national average; utilities run 7% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 3% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in Detroit, MI vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.3 | +0.3% |
| Housing | 94.7 | −5.3% |
| Goods | 98.8 | −1.2% |
| Utilities | 107.0 | +7.0% |
| Other services | 102.6 | +2.6% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Detroit, MI
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,009 | $40,360/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,128 | $45,120/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,413 | $56,520/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,737 | $69,480/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,887 | $75,480/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Detroit, MI
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Detroit, MI | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,100 | $32,947 |
| $60,000 | $60,200 | $48,243 |
| $80,000 | $80,200 | $62,093 |
| $100,000 | $100,300 | $75,379 |
| $150,000 | $150,400 | $107,923 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Michigan 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Detroit, MI's median wage of $52,080 takes home about $3,505 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,128, which is 32% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,377 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Detroit, MI
- Federal income tax$4,070
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,229
- Medicare (1.45%)$755
- Michigan income tax$1,963
- Take-home pay$42,064
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.25% state
Detroit residents also pay a city income tax: about $1,250 a year on the $52,080 median wage, leaving $40,814. Select “Detroit” under City income tax above to include it.
Highest-paying jobs in Detroit, MI
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Michigan cities
Half of Michigan’s 4,403,730 workers earn less than $49,270 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $37,070–$77,910 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Lansing, MI stretches a paycheck furthest, while Flint, MI is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | $52,080 | 100.3 | $1,128 | 32% | $2,377 | $41,939 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $47,570 | 95.5 | $1,242 | 39% | $1,977 | $40,432 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $55,380 | 100.9 | $1,387 | 37% | $2,328 | $44,186 |
| Lansing, MI | $52,800 | 95.0 | $1,012 | 28% | $2,539 | $44,859 |
| Flint, MI | $45,880 | 93.0 | $856 | 28% | $2,256 | $40,142 |
| South Bend, IN | $46,540 | 92.9 | $1,073 | 34% | $2,081 | $40,759 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $48,510 | 94.8 | $998 | 30% | $2,281 | $41,488 |
| Saginaw, MI | $46,200 | 90.9 | $851 | 27% | $2,281 | $41,356 |
| Traverse City, MI | $47,470 | 93.4 | $1,107 | 34% | $2,106 | $41,292 |
| Muskegon, MI | $46,060 | 92.5 | $942 | 30% | $2,182 | $40,513 |
| Niles, MI | $45,980 | 92.4 | $902 | 29% | $2,216 | $40,513 |
| Jackson, MI | $47,760 | 91.8 | $946 | 29% | $2,285 | $42,249 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $48,690 | 90.5 | $976 | 30% | $2,314 | $43,609 |
| Monroe, MI | $46,240 | 93.5 | $1,011 | 32% | $2,124 | $40,238 |
| Midland, MI | $49,340 | 91.9 | $925 | 28% | $2,407 | $43,492 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Detroit, MI vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 100.3 | $1,128 | $52,080 | 1,904,530 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $1,396 | $59,320 | 1,951,650 |
| Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $2,022 | $72,610 | 2,086,210 |
| Riverside, CA | 106.4 | $1,777 | $48,400 | 1,716,760 |
| Denver, CO | 105.8 | $1,754 | $62,320 | 1,609,350 |
| San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $2,459 | $58,690 | 1,538,060 |
| Tampa, FL | 100.9 | $1,696 | $48,940 | 1,447,120 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Detroit, MI expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area are 100.3% of the U.S. average, with housing at 94.7%. It is the #83 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Detroit, MI?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $60,179 in Detroit, MI (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $52,080.
Can you afford Detroit, MI on the median wage?
A single worker on the $52,080 median wage takes home about $3,505 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,128 would take 32% of that.
How much is rent in Detroit, MI?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Detroit, MI are $1,009 for a studio, $1,128 for one bedroom, $1,413 for two bedrooms and $1,737 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Detroit, MI
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $170,040
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $168,550
- Financial Manager — $160,240
- Sales Manager — $155,560
- Human Resources Manager — $149,980
- Marketing Manager — $149,310
- Managers, All Other — $138,970
- Industrial Production Manager — $126,200
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $105,350
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,550
- Management Analyst — $100,570
- Logistician — $93,130
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $84,970
- Compliance Officer — $81,250
- Accountant and Auditor — $80,650
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $80,300
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $130,760
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $107,560
- Computer Systems Analyst — $103,670
- Data Scientist — $103,330
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $96,400
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,040
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Engineers, All Other — $126,250
- Electrical Engineer — $114,390
- Mechanical Engineer — $109,470
- Industrial Engineer — $104,110
- Civil Engineer — $92,550
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $76,190
- Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician — $69,490
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $62,840
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $60,890
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $59,270
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $42,600
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $134,980
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $63,400
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $77,520
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $65,210
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $65,140
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $38,620
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $37,500
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $35,450
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Public Relations Specialist — $66,100
- Graphic Designer — $60,210
- Coach and Scout — $46,970
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Pharmacist — $137,770
- Nurse Practitioner — $134,390
- Physician Assistant — $131,830
- Physical Therapist — $102,970
- Registered Nurse — $97,280
- Dental Hygienist — $84,480
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $77,530
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $69,300
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $50,110
- Nursing Assistant — $39,900
- Medical Assistant — $39,410
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,120
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $78,450
- Firefighter — $62,730
- Security Guard — $37,050
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Chef and Head Cook — $60,870
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,570
- Waiter and Waitress — $37,490
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,410
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,360
- Bartender — $36,780
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,170
- Dishwasher — $34,350
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $38,820
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,680
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $35,070
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $46,880
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,960
- Recreation Worker — $34,400
- Childcare Worker — $31,060
- Animal Caretaker — $31,040
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $29,320
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $129,070
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $77,870
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $77,540
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $76,990
- Insurance Sales Agent — $63,580
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $48,280
- Parts Salesperson — $48,160
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $42,470
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $74,950
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $67,060
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $62,520
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $62,070
- Loan Interviewer and Clerk — $51,500
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $51,480
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $48,550
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $47,840
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $86,370
- Electrician — $81,990
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $80,610
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $68,130
- Carpenter — $65,810
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $62,330
- Construction Laborer — $57,430
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,200
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $71,100
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $63,360
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $63,170
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $56,000
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,380
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $47,450
- Tire Repairer and Changer — $37,610
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $75,490
- Tool and Die Maker — $73,120
- Engine and Other Machine Assembler — $64,820
- Machinist — $59,310
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $51,810
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $51,210
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $50,460
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $49,240
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $61,670
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,120
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $46,550
- Light Truck Driver — $44,200
- Driver/Sales Worker — $40,630
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,330
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,720
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $36,390